The estimated 25,000 England supporters making the trip to South Africa are likely to be even easier targets for thieves and fraudsters, consumer bodies have warned.

The Office of Fair Trading believes many may already have fallen victim to fraudsters, with one in 12 ticket buyers caught out by scams involving tickets which do not arrive or are fake, while Fifa has cautioned against a wave of illicit emails informing people that they have won World Cup tickets in bogus lotteries.

So what should fans watch out for and how can they protect themselves against being ripped off?

Keep yours covered

Travel insurance should be top of fans' shopping lists. Nick Starling of the Association of British Insurers says: "Making sure that you have the right travel insurance for your needs is crucial for every England fan travelling to South Africa.

"Whether travelling as part of a package or independently, all supporters should check their travel insurance before they go so that they fully understand what they are covered for, and to contact their travel insurer if they are unclear on any aspect of the cover."

Given the Colombian team's experience, many fans may think cover for cash and personal items is the most important thing to insure. But it is even more vital to make sure you have adequate medical expenses cover.

Last year, travel insurers paid out more than £4m a week in medical costs to treat people who fell ill while abroad, and emergency medical repatriation back to the UK from outside Europe can cost at least £25,000. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, make sure you tell your insurer before you travel.

You should also consider upgrading your travel insurance. With volcanic eruptions, airlines hit by industrial action and problems in South Africa all a possibility, now is not the time to skimp on cheap cover. Aviva and Axa, for example, offer upgrades which cover flight cancellations and other extras in certain circumstances.

Travel securely

Minimise the amount of valuables you take with you and carry as much as possible with you as hand luggage – items are not covered if you put them in the hold of the plane during your flight.

Keep your match tickets on your person as your insurer will probably pay out their value if they go astray – but that won't make up for missing the match.

If you are travelling anywhere by car, keep the doors locked and don't leave valuables in view. Car jacking and smash and grabs at traffic lights are very common in South Africa.

Beware of scams

Spokesman Neil Munroe says: "While news headlines have focused on the risk of violence for anyone heading to South Africa, we are urging consumers to be aware of the potential fraud scams which might give them a financial hangover when they get back.

"Unfortunately, football fans will stand out from the crowd making them an easy target for criminals.

"In particular, we are urging England fans to be just that bit more cautious when they are using credit cards. A little common sense goes a long way: if it seems too good to be true, it often is."

ATM fraud is common in South Africa, and fraudsters are known to target tourists. Scams include strangers offering to help you with an ATM transaction and even offering to try your pin number for you. They are probably fraudsters who will switch cards or clone it.

Another con is when people dressed in the bank's colours tell you to swipe your card with them as the ATM isn't working. They will clone your card and then ask you to try it on the machine, logging your pin number in the process

Visitors needing to use the internet in a cafe or hotel to access social networks or online bank accounts are urged to protect their passwords. If you do access your bank acount you should check your transactions, and change your password if you have any reason to believe it might have been compromised.

The golden rules

Fans can reduce their chances of falling victim to crime and fraud by following the golden rules:

• Ask your hotel about which areas to avoid.

• Don't advertise the fact you are a tourist; don't carry or wear expensive items or jewellery.

• Keep any belongings you carry to a minimum (including cash), and keep anything valuable in a zipped pocket or body belt.

• Protect your personal information, especially your passport, at all times. And always remember to report the loss or theft of identification documents as soon as possible.

• Always protect your pin number, never write it down or give it to anyone. Only use machines in well lit, high traffic areas. Be wary of any offers of help, even if it appears to be coming from an official person.

• Don't indulge in too much alcohol or take drugs. Both activities will invalidate your travel insurance and you will make a much easier target if you are drunk and incapable.

If the worst happens

Keep your insurance details to hand. If you need police support or medical help you may need to present proof of insurance.

If you are robbed, make a record of what happened. Take down the details of any eye witnesses, report the incident to the police immediately and contact your insurer as soon as possible.